Rachel Semigran

Rachel Semigran was a member of Philly Improv Theater house teams Mayor Karen, Hot Dish, and winner of the now defunct WitOut Award for "Best Improv Team" Sabotage. Rachel founded PHIT's Kids & Teens education program and is currently directing the art-meets-improv show Untiled. She also performs with Lizzie Spellman as Proper Dodgy, the Season 1 winners of VS at PHIT.

Rachel is a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with an MA in Applied Theatre. Rachel eased the academic rigor of her MA by diving into the UK comedy scene. Her highest honor was performing the Armando with Tim Brooke Taylor. Other UK credits include: Assistant Producer, Ditto Productions, Edinburgh Fringe 2013/14; Assistant Director “NOLA,” – Edinburgh Fringe; and “Epidemic” – Old Vic New Voices.

Improv training includes Second City, UCB, Baby Wants Candy, and of course PHIT! She is also a long-time company member of Iron Age Theatre Company. Her acting and theater background brings stagecraft and technique to her performance and directing.

Rachel's approach to improv is finding the joy and love of the scene. There is a tendency to move toward arguments or conflicts in scenes to create "excitement." Rachel's goal as a coach is to make scenes fun and captivating without falling into the traps of negative play.

Rachel's other large area of focus is group scenes and ensemble-building. Say goodbye to the semi-circle of sad improv group game and say hello to dynamic 3-10 person scenes.

Rachel is not currently available to be a full-time coach, however, she is happy to sub in or do workshops with your group.